A Visit to the Evergreen State
Guest Blog from Ally Merrett, DFA Program Coordinator
I’ve been to Seattle four times now, and this trip was by far the most exciting—and not just because I finally caught a clear glimpse of Mt. Rainier. I had the incredible opportunity to visit the University of Washington’s DFA studio, where a passionate group of students warmly welcomed me. During my visit, I shared my design journey, gave project feedback to each of their six teams, and most importantly, learned so much from them in return.
As a Program Coordinator (or Studio Wizard, as we like to say!), I have the joy of supporting DFA studios across the country. But nothing quite compares to site visits——witnessing the energy, creativity, and collaboration in person is always a reminder of why I love this work. These visits ground me in the spirit of DFA and inspire everything I do to support our community.
At UW, the studio is led by Sawani Deshmukh, a senior majoring in psychology. When I asked her what drives her involvement with DFA, she said, “It’s a great opportunity to learn and apply design-thinking skills to make a positive impact on real-world challenges.” That passion was felt in every corner of the room. Each team was tackling topics like sustainability, financial education, community building, and more—all with energy, curiosity, and a shared desire to make a difference.
As I walked from table to table, the room buzzed with conversation. I had to lean in and ask folks to repeat themselves—not just because their ideas were so exciting, but because the space was alive with enthusiasm. It was a beautiful kind of chaos—the kind that only happens when people care deeply and are fully immersed in their work.
One of the highlights of my trip was being invited to speak about my design journey. Not too long ago, I was in their shoes: a student who couldn’t get enough of design-thinking. After changing my major eight times (yes, eight!), I eventually graduated and started working at a design consultancy at the Siebel Center for Design at UIUC—where my DFA roots really blossomed.
I love chatting with students about that transition from DFA to post-grad life, because the design skills and values they’re developing now will serve them no matter where they go. I shared a past project of mine and we walked through the design process together, pointing out the connections between their current work and what lies ahead. Exploring wild ideas, failing fast, and building back stronger—that’s the heart of being a great designer. And there’s no better place to practice it than in DFA.
I also shared some tips on building a strong portfolio—a crucial tool when stepping into the working world. I reminded students that a great portfolio isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about storytelling. It should reflect your path, not just what’s trending. And it’s okay to build it one step at a time. With the amazing projects I saw, I have no doubt they’re well on their way.
Speaking of amazing projects, here’s a glimpse into what each of the six DFA UW teams is working on:
Team IM$TACK(ed): Designing a way to elevate Seattle's creative voices while uniting them. They’re prototyping a magazine, and DFA HQ was thrilled to support their printing costs!
Team Nostalgia: Designing a sensory memory tool to help users capture and relive meaningful moments. Whether digital or physical (like a campus memory wall!), their ideas aim to foster personal reflection.
Team Cache: Creating a resource to teach Gen Z the fundamentals of financial literacy. We worked together to prioritize features like budgeting, credit-building, and education—one step at a time.
Team AG: Tackling the issue of clothing waste by helping users organize their wardrobes and reduce unnecessary purchases. Their competitive analysis was sharp, and their business instincts strong.
Team DubJam: Connecting local musicians to build collaborative music experiences. They’re taking a thoughtful, research-driven approach with interviews spanning students to local retailers.
Team FunBunz: Developing an accessible solution to reduce food waste and promote sustainability. Their vision boards and Figma prototypes were bursting with thoughtful, inclusive ideas.
In the challenging days of 2020, many DFA studios shifted online. Some didn’t make it through that tough transition—but those that did have returned with a renewed sense of purpose and connection. It was heartwarming to see UW’s “all-studio” gathering in full swing: laughter echoing, Post-its flying, ideas sparking in every direction.
What I saw at UW was more than just great projects—it was a community. And that’s the throughline across every studio I visit. Students from all walks of life, with different dreams and majors, united by a desire to make things better. That’s the DFA magic.
Thank you to the DFA UW studio for the warm welcome and inspiring visit. I can’t wait to see your final presentations! To follow along with their journey, follow DFA UW on LinkedIn and Instagram.
